By Editor
The city of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital was yesterday, practically locked down as markets and business premises around the Ewi’s Palace did not open for normal business activities while the celebration lasted.
The city was in festive mood celebrating one of her illustrious sons and living legend Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) legal luminary, philanthropist, educationist and founder of Afe Babalola university (ABUAD).
This was in fulfilment of the pronouncement made by Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi 111 the Ewi of Ado Ekiti during the annual Udiroko Festival last August declaring October 18 as ‘Afe Babalola Day”
Indeed, Ado Ekiti’s sons and daughters from all walks of life, rose to celebrate one of their own in appreciation of his indelible marks on the sands of time and to humanity when he is still alive.
The organizers of the high octane event left no stone unturned in puting a befitting gala event in honor of the nonanigerian elder statesman within the shortest time of planning.
The state-of- the -art smart stage canopy was a delight to behold where dignitaries, including royal fathers, politicians and leaders of thoughts across board seated as glowing tributes were paid to the ‘son of the day’
The joyous Aare in his welcome address expressed delight at the occasion saying it was a meaningful moment in his life and that the recognition by his kinsmen motivates him to continue prioritizing the welfare of humanity.
He commended the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi, for declaring October 18 as Afe Babalola Day to honor his achievements in law, education, health, community development, agriculture, and humanitarian efforts even as he expressed displeasure that the Ekiti State House of Assembly had earlier rejected a motion calling similar honour.
Aare Afe Babalola who emphatized with Nigerians on the present hardship they face especially on food crisis announced the unveiling a N200 million loan scheme for men and women aimed targeting 2,000 registered members of cooperative societies in Ekiti as beneficiaries.
The loan, according to the legal luminary, will attract a 5% interest rate noting that the facility will empower cooperative societies’ members to establish their own businesses without relying on government support.
“There is no doubt that there is hunger in the land. This is because we consume more than we produce. It is not the duty of the government to produce and distribute food to citizens. I feel worried and ashamed when I see people queuing up for food.
“I have taken up this challenge due to my experience as a cooperative inspector. I have incorporated two cooperative societies, one for men and one for women. Each society will receive N100 million today in bank drafts to enable registered members to apply for loans to start their businesses.
“This N200 million will provide loans for 2,000 people at a minimum of N100,000 per person. Members will only pay 5% interest on the loan to the cooperative society, compared to over 20% charged by banks.”
To support the laudable initiative, over N50m were raised by Dignitaries which included the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who made a personal donation of N10m, former Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Niyi Adebayo, N5m, children of the legal icon, N5m, Ekiti House of Assembly N1m, amongst other donors.
In his royal address, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe stressed that the Afe Babalola Day Declaration, which will be celebrated annually, is in recognition of Aare Babalola’s immense contributions to education, legal excellence and advocacy, philanthropy, community development, health, and agriculture.
The monarch remarked that Babalola’s unwavering commitment to hard work and service to humanity has made remarkable contributions to Ekiti State and the world at large.
He called on residents to emulate Babalola’s nation-building ethos for the advancement of society.
Also speaking in similar vein at the event, human rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana described Afe Babalola as an exceptional individual who has excelled tremendously in his career.
Falana noted that the establishment of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), is one of Babalola’s landmark efforts to ensure that quality and functional education is accessible to all.
His words“Aare Afe Babalola is a man of destiny who rose from the lonely place in the society to the highest.
“He has reached the peak of his career and has also attained a special place for himself in the area of education.
“He is a philanthropist who has assisted many people, he’s a man of achievement and attainment. He needs to be celebrated not just by the Ado community but by Ekiti people so that people like him can realize that the sky is not the limit in terms of achievement.
“We thank Ado-Ekiti community for giving honour to whom it is due, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti for the tremendous cooperation with Aare Afe Babalola.
“The Institution founded by Aare Afe Babalola is a challenge to other people in the society who are lucky to make money to invest in the society and when you invest in the society, you will take care of many people who are otherwise denied opportunity.
“There are other privileged people in the country who also need to sponsor students who are unable to further in their education because of family”. He added
Many beneficiaries of Aare Babalola’s also payed glowing tributes to the legal luminary.
Dignitaries at the maiden edition of Afe Babalola’s Day includes, the Governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji and his wife, former Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Otunba Ladi Owolabi, some state excos, Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers led by the Olojudo, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, The Ewi-in-Council, chairmen of local governments in Ado, Femi Falana, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde and top management staff of ABUAD among others
